Anyone whose mental image of a ballerina is a wafer-thin stick insect who looks as though they would snap in half in a strong wind will get a shock when they see The Big Ballet.

Each dancer in the 16-strong Russian alternative ballet show weighs at least 17st, with every performer aiming to prove that being larger doesn't mean they can't perform with dignity, grace and flair.

Principal dancer Tatyana Gladkaya said: "You definitely have to have a sense of humour to be in The Big Ballet but we still take our work very seriously.

"Having said that, it's easy to do the splits with 120 kilos of down-force."

  • Starts 7.30pm, tickets from £16.50. Call 01903 206206.